How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Take to Go to Court in Atlanta, Georgia?

If you're not satisfied with the settlement you receive from a personal injury case, you can try taking it to trial. The amount of time an Atlanta personal injury lawsuit will take to go to trial will depend on the type of injury you suffered and the circumstances surrounding it. However, many personal injury claims settle before trial. If a settlement cannot be reached, a neutral mediator may be brought in to help with the negotiations. In the case of a personal injury trial, both sides present evidence to prove their side of the story. In most cases, the plaintiff has the burden of proof. The victim presents his or her own evidence to the court first.

Depending on the circumstances, a personal injury case may take weeks, months, or even years. The amount of time it takes to resolve a personal injury case will vary widely depending on the complexity of the case and whether or not the defendant is willing to settle. Attorneys will have to weigh the benefits of pursuing a trial versus the time and money associated with it. A quick settlement can be a cost-effective option for a victim.

Hiring an attorney can speed up the process. While a personal injury claim may take less time to resolve, the faster it goes to trial, the less likely it is to end up in court. Atlanta attorneys will guide you through the process of gathering medical records and bills. They will also speak with insurance companies and make settlement negotiations on your behalf. If you don't hire a lawyer, you risk losing your chance of a full recovery.

During the process of a personal injury claim, your attorney will file a complaint in court and serve the defendant. There will be a discovery process, which will include interviewing witnesses, identifying relevant experts, and gathering documents and medical records. This process can take months or even years, depending on the type of injury. During this time, your attorney and the defendant's representative may try to settle the case out of court. If those efforts fail, arguments and motions will go ahead.

Once the case has reached the courtroom, the trial will be conducted by a judge or jury. Trials can last anywhere from three to ten days. Depending on the complexity of the case, the jury may take months or years to reach a verdict. If a jury finds your case to be unfounded, you will have to wait for the trial verdict. Even if you win the case, you'll have to wait a few months before the insurance company pays out.

In some Atlanta car accident cases, liability is clear and the insurance company of the culpable party is willing to accept it. This type of case will require the plaintiff's attorney to prove that the other party is more than 50% responsible for the accident. Otherwise, the plaintiff will be left with no or little compensation. To avoid a lengthy and costly legal battle, you must hire an experienced personal injury attorney to file the claim for you.